NO ROOM AT THE WHOREHOUSE

By Jeanne Lieberman

If you build it they will come was the mantra in the famous baseball movie "Field of Dreams". Well that premise certainly held true for the Pines' new theater at Whyte Hall.

Tony La Rocco was almost tearfully happy as he informed me that the last two shows were "absolutely sold out" with no SRO as Director/ choreographer DJ Salisbury also appreciated the new space so much so that he utilized every inch of it for his smashing production of Best Little Whorehouse in Texas requiring that the aisles be kept clear for cast appearances, exits and entrances.

The cast was a mix of locals and professionals, some veterans of past productions: Sue Willis, who graces the stage with her every appearance, the first family of Pines theater, Rita & Jack Lichtenstein (Jack probably spent as much time putting on his makeup and costume as time onstage, Rita proudly prancing around in her vintage floral frock), and the ever expanding talent of Nicole LaFountaine, whose voice never sounded better in a part that so suited her, Laurence Isaacson, who kept dropping his pants to hilarious effect, in fact he is always hilarious both on and offstage, Steven Alan Black whose infectious grin and affable personality is always irresistible.. There were smashing debuts: Jim Speake, a new star on the Grove/Pines horizon who just informed me that he will be performing cabaret in NYC, and a remarkable first time onstage ever for Ron Martin as the tough, taciturn and tender sheriff. The Aggies and "girls" were sexy and an audio/visual delight. And Salibury's choreography, as executed by the boys, worthy of a Broadway production.  

 

About the show:

The legendary Texas brothel known as the Chicken Ranch (so called because the Depression customers were allowed to pay with poultry) was in existance from the 1840's to 1973 when it was shut down due to the efforts of a crusading oilier-than-thou Houston radio commentator and his vigilante Watch Dogs. The story of the brothel and its last days became the subject of a raunchy, romping musical that was tried out in the Actor's Studio, opened at Off Broadway's Entermedia Theater April 17 1978, where it played 64 performances, then moved to 46^th Street Theater on June 19^th  where it played 1703 performances. The show was put together entirely by four transplanted Texans  (Music & Lyrics: Carol Hall, Book: Larry L King & Peter Mastersin, Director/Choreographer Tommy Tune) who wanted to collaborate on a musical about the Lone Star State that would be, in Lyricist Carol Hall's words,  "funny and nostalgic and tender". Carlin Glyrin played Miss Mona Stangley, whorehodse proprietor, and Henderson Forsythe, the blunt talking local sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, who had once been Mona's lover. Alexis Smith was seen as Miss Mona in the second of three road companies that toured three and a half years The film version released in 1982, co-starred Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

Its most famous songs: "A Lil Old Pissant Country Place", "Girl. You're a Woman", "Twentyfour hours of Lovin", "Texas Has A Whorehouse in it", "Bus From Amarillo", :"Its A Hard Candy Christmas".

 

Directed and choreographed by DJ Salisbury with musical direction by Brian Allan Hobbs, Steven Alan Black

CAST

(in order of appearance)

Edsel Mackey

Steven Alan Black*

Cowboys

Luke Hawkins*, Charles Logan*

Miss Wulla Jean's Brood

Elissa Goldstein*, Sally Mae Dunn* Erin McGuire*, Nathan Hershberger*

Farmer

Jack Lichtenstein

Shy Kid

David Alliker

Miss Wulla Jean

Susan Willis*

Traveling Salesman

Rob Levy

Slick Dude

John Catania*

Melvin P. Thorpe

Michael Francis Stromar*

Angel

Sally Mae Dunn*

Shy

Donna Vivino*

Jewel

Anastacia McClesky*

Mona Stangley

Nicole LaFountaine

Miss Mona's Brood

Joey Abramowicz*, Elissa Goldstein*,  Luke Hawins*, Nathan Hershberger*, Rory Hughes*,

Charles Logan*, Santiago Solis*

Cameramn

Rob Levy

Stage Manager

David Alliker

Melvin Thorpe Singers

Steven Alan Black*, John Catania*,  Rory Hughes*, Rita Lichtenstein, Erin McGuire*

TheDogettes

Elissa Goldstein*, Luke Hawkins*, Nathan Hershberger*, Charles Logan*

Sheriff Ed EarlDodd

Ron Martin

CJScruggs

JimSpeake

Mayor Rufus Poindexter

JohnCatania*

Doatsey Mae

Erin McGuire*

TV Colorman

RobLevy

Angelette Imogene Charlene

ElissaGoldstei*

Senator Wingwoah

Laurence Isaacson

Aggies

David Alliker, Joey Abramowicz*, Luke Hawkins*,  Nathan Hershberger*, Rory Hughes*, Charles Logan*,

Santiago Solis*

Aggie - Specialty Dancer

LukeHawkins*

Photographes

Rob Levy, John Catania*, Steven Alan Black*

Reporter #1

John Catania*

Reporter #2

Erin McGuire*

Governor's Aide

David Alliker

Governor

Jim Speake

Reporter #3

Rob Levy

Reporter #4

Rita Lichtenstein

 

THE WHOREHOUSE BAND Piano

Brian Allan Hobbs

Guitar I

John Putnam

Guitar II

Conor Moran

Violin

Blair Lawhead

Bass

David Fletcher

Percussion

Kerrey Meads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

this number was obviously too hot for the camera - turned red

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love is in the air

 

The Sheriff - Ron Martin in a spectacular stage debut

 

Director/choreographer D.J. Salisbury smiling!!! Thats a good sign

 

don't worry, it will be great!

 

 

AH! Finally, the finale

The Best Part: THE BOWS

thank you.....

 

Oh! THANK YOU

 

DON' T forget us up here

 

and me!

 

THANK YOU - WE :LOVE YOU, TOO

 

The Pines' First Couple of Theater - Rita & Jack Lichtenstein

 

BACKSTAGE:

just a couple of "politicians" kicking back

 

the gal with the powerful pipes

 

amazing - you can't see how sexy I am back here

 

AH! Ever the diva, even backstage

 

as cute offstage as on and decidedly more innocent (?)

 

® Music director - he starts rehearsing right away - and one of his pickup musicians (one week prior to performance)

 

Wow! Thank Gateway Playhouse for many of these costumes

 

the boys aren't as neat

 

 

opening night - tomorrow!!!  BREAK A LEG EVERYBODY

 

NOTE: The production was a smashing success with not an extra seat to be had for the last two performances in this spanking new and spacious Whyte Hall. Aside from kudos to the entire cast and crew special thanks to Tony LaRocco who nurtured and worried his way through the entire process to its ultimate enjoyable end.

 

Jeanne Lieberman, publisher